cassonetto
/kas.soˈnet.to/masculine
The English word "dumpster" is cassonetto in Italian.
A cassonetto is a large trash receptacle. While the word can stand alone, it is often used in the phrase cassonetto della spazzatura to specify that it is a trash dumpster.
Meaning: large trash receptacle (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of cassonetto is cassonetti.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kas.soˈnet.to/. It has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- Historically, a cassone was a lavishly carved marriage chest used in the Renaissance to store a bride's dowry.
- The diminutive suffix -etto in cassonetto actually means 'small', making the word literally 'little large box'.
- In many Italian cities, you will see specific cassonetti for different materials, such as carta for paper or vetro for glass, rather than one single dumpster.
Examples in context
- Tutto va nel cassonetto.Everything goes in the dumpster.Tatoeba #5611929 by Guybrush88, translation #3726611 by CM
- "Dormire in un cassonetto, eh?", chiese Al-Sayib. "Deve essere stata una esperienza puzzolente.""Sleeping in a dumpster, huh?" Al-Sayib asked. "That must have been a smelly experience."Tatoeba #3111006 by Guybrush88, translation #585727 by FeuDRenais2
- Il bidone della spazzatura è stato svuotato questa mattina.The dumpster was emptied this morning.
- Il cassonetto è pieno di rifiuti.The dumpster is full of trash.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are taking out the trash.
- AlessandroDove si trova il cassonetto?Where is the dumpster?
- ChiaraÈ proprio dietro l'angolo, Alessandro.It's right around the corner, Alessandro.
- AlessandroGrazie, Chiara. Vado subito.Thanks, Chiara. I'm going now.
- ChiaraFai attenzione a non sporcarti!Be careful not to get dirty!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dumpster” translations and entries cassonetto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cassonetto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
